Burdick Colour

Brasilia 1996- representatives of black movement organizations invited by Movimento Terreiro e Cidadania "to respond to growing attacks by evangelical Christian churches on the Afro-Brazilian religions of candomble and umbanda." ¹(109) in final document reference to "Nazi-Pentecostal churches." ²(110)

deep antagonism between "black consciousness movement and Pentecostals."³ (110) reasons: (1) rejection of Christianity due to association with slavery ⁴(110) (2) "Protestantism, with its white North American influences, is regarded... religion of ethnic assimilation per excellence....adoption of a host of white cultural traits...clothes, gestures and music..." ⁵(111) (3) "Pentecostalism's fervent mix of individualism and universalism is viewed as antipathetic to the growth of ethnic identity." ⁶(111) (4) "the black movement's identification of religions of African origin as an essential source of black identity and pride is directly offended by Pentecostals' attacks on these religions as witchcraft and the work of the devil." ⁷(111)

author told "when blacks become crentes, they forget their identities as blacks." ⁸(111)

1996 Pentecostals 20% negros

Historical Protestant 10% negros

1995 Blacks: 10% Pentecostals 3% Historical Protestants ⁹(111)

Academic opinion (1) P. Verger: slaves conversion alienation from African values (2) R. Bastide: conversion assimilation into white society ¹⁰(112)

"the universal language of the Holy Spirit has been characterised as expressing the culturally homogenizing, de-particularizing forces of global capitalism and the state."¹¹ (112)

Paradoxes: Benedita da Silva for whom Pentecostal religion is linked to ethnic consciousnes. Emerging concern for ethnic issues in Pentecostal churches ¹²(112-113)

"Hostility toward ethnicity is undoubtedly a powerful tendency of Pentecostalism. Yet with careful attention and listening, discourses and practices will be noted that run counter to this tendency."¹³ (113)

Tensions between Pentecostalism and Black Identity: (1) ethnic emphasis in tension with universalizing tendencies of Pentecostalism especially belonging to a global Christian family¹⁴ (115-116) (2) tension between group ID and individual salvation ¹⁵(116) (3) tension with other worldly discourse of Pentecostalism ¹⁶(116) (4) tension caused by Pentecostal rejection of Orixas and discourse of hereditary sin often presented as a rejection of African heritage ¹⁷(116)

Connections: (1) Pentecostalism forges self-esteem (e.g. Quero que valorize song) Overcoming shame. Including shame associated with colour¹⁸ (117) (2) Faith; going from lies to truth. Acceptance of one's own black identity. Evangelicals move likely to self-identify as blacks rather than other categories ¹⁹(117-118) (3) although typical Brazilian stereotypes of beauty remain in churches this is tempered by a caution/rejection of worldly standards of beauty; emphasis on spiritual health ²⁰(118-121) (4) Afro-Brazilians seen to demonstrate spiritual gifts with more intensity. ²¹(121-122) (5) Appropriation of black rhythms in evangelical churches²² (122-123) (6) equality before God+ Black leadership in churches (i) eyes opening to racism in Brazilian society (ii) anger at racism still within churches especially at higher levels of leadership²³ (123-124)

Points to incipient efforts to find a Pentecostal Brazilian Identity and controversies especially over the selective appropriation of positive aspects of Black religion ²⁴

1John Burdick, “What is the Color of the Holy Spirit? Pentecostalism and Black Identity in Brazil
,” Latin American Research Review 34, no. 2 (1999), 109–131, 109.

2John Burdick, “What is the Color of the Holy Spirit? Pentecostalism and Black Identity in Brazil
,” Latin American Research Review 34, no. 2 (1999), 109–131, 110.

3John Burdick, “What is the Color of the Holy Spirit? Pentecostalism and Black Identity in Brazil
,” Latin American Research Review 34, no. 2 (1999), 109–131, 110.

4John Burdick, “What is the Color of the Holy Spirit? Pentecostalism and Black Identity in Brazil
,” Latin American Research Review 34, no. 2 (1999), 109–131, 110.

5John Burdick, “What is the Color of the Holy Spirit? Pentecostalism and Black Identity in Brazil
,” Latin American Research Review 34, no. 2 (1999), 109–131, 111.

6John Burdick, “What is the Color of the Holy Spirit? Pentecostalism and Black Identity in Brazil
,” Latin American Research Review 34, no. 2 (1999), 109–131, 111.

7John Burdick, “What is the Color of the Holy Spirit? Pentecostalism and Black Identity in Brazil
,” Latin American Research Review 34, no. 2 (1999), 109–131, 111.

8John Burdick, “What is the Color of the Holy Spirit? Pentecostalism and Black Identity in Brazil
,” Latin American Research Review 34, no. 2 (1999), 109–131, 111.

9John Burdick, “What is the Color of the Holy Spirit? Pentecostalism and Black Identity in Brazil
,” Latin American Research Review 34, no. 2 (1999), 109–131, 111,

10John Burdick, “What is the Color of the Holy Spirit? Pentecostalism and Black Identity in Brazil
,” Latin American Research Review 34, no. 2 (1999), 109–131, 112.

11John Burdick, “What is the Color of the Holy Spirit? Pentecostalism and Black Identity in Brazil
,” Latin American Research Review 34, no. 2 (1999), 109–131, 112.

12John Burdick, “What is the Color of the Holy Spirit? Pentecostalism and Black Identity in Brazil
,” Latin American Research Review 34, no. 2 (1999), 109–131, 112–113.

13John Burdick, “What is the Color of the Holy Spirit? Pentecostalism and Black Identity in Brazil
,” Latin American Research Review 34, no. 2 (1999), 109–131, 113.

14John Burdick, “What is the Color of the Holy Spirit? Pentecostalism and Black Identity in Brazil
,” Latin American Research Review 34, no. 2 (1999), 109–131, 115–116.

15John Burdick, “What is the Color of the Holy Spirit? Pentecostalism and Black Identity in Brazil
,” Latin American Research Review 34, no. 2 (1999), 109–131, 116.

16John Burdick, “What is the Color of the Holy Spirit? Pentecostalism and Black Identity in Brazil
,” Latin American Research Review 34, no. 2 (1999), 109–131, 116.

17John Burdick, “What is the Color of the Holy Spirit? Pentecostalism and Black Identity in Brazil
,” Latin American Research Review 34, no. 2 (1999), 109–131, 116.

18John Burdick, “What is the Color of the Holy Spirit? Pentecostalism and Black Identity in Brazil
,” Latin American Research Review 34, no. 2 (1999), 109–131, 117.

19John Burdick, “What is the Color of the Holy Spirit? Pentecostalism and Black Identity in Brazil
,” Latin American Research Review 34, no. 2 (1999), 109–131, 117–118.

20John Burdick, “What is the Color of the Holy Spirit? Pentecostalism and Black Identity in Brazil
,” Latin American Research Review 34, no. 2 (1999), 109–131, 118–121.

21John Burdick, “What is the Color of the Holy Spirit? Pentecostalism and Black Identity in Brazil
,” Latin American Research Review 34, no. 2 (1999), 109–131, 121–122.

22John Burdick, “What is the Color of the Holy Spirit? Pentecostalism and Black Identity in Brazil
,” Latin American Research Review 34, no. 2 (1999), 109–131, 122–123.

23John Burdick, “What is the Color of the Holy Spirit? Pentecostalism and Black Identity in Brazil
,” Latin American Research Review 34, no. 2 (1999), 109–131, 123–124.

24John Burdick, “What is the Color of the Holy Spirit? Pentecostalism and Black Identity in Brazil
,” Latin American Research Review 34, no. 2 (1999), 109–131, 125–127.